Ozen players wear pads and helmets during a recent spring practice. The University Interscholastic League passed tighter restrictions on high school football allowing only 90 per week of full contact practice.
Dave Ryan/The Enterprise less

Ozen players wear pads and helmets during a recent spring practice. The University Interscholastic League passed tighter restrictions on high school football allowing only 90 per week of full contact practice. ... more

Photo: Dave Ryan

Image 2 of 30

Junior Port Arthur Memorial High School football player Meldric Matthews, left, runs defensive drills during a recent spring practice at Memorial. The University Interscholastic League passed tighter restrictions on high school football allowing only 90 per week of full contact practice.
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise less

Junior Port Arthur Memorial High School football player Meldric Matthews, left, runs defensive drills during a recent spring practice at Memorial. The University Interscholastic League passed tighter ... more

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 3 of 30

Junior Port Arthur Memorial High School football player Melbrodrick Matthews, top, strips the ball from his brother Meldric Matthews while running defensive drills during a recent spring practice at Memorial. The University Interscholastic League passed tighter restrictions on high school football allowing only 90 per week of full contact practice.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise less

Junior Port Arthur Memorial High School football player Melbrodrick Matthews, top, strips the ball from his brother Meldric Matthews while running defensive drills during a recent spring practice at Memorial. ... more

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 4 of 30

West Brook varsity team takes the field to kick off their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook varsity team takes the field to kick off their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 5 of 30

Image 6 of 30

West Brook player Justen Hervey, #3, makes a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook player Justen Hervey, #3, makes a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 7 of 30

West Brook player Demarcus Smith, #10, makes a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook player Demarcus Smith, #10, makes a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Image 8 of 30

West Brook player Keith Corbin, #9, make a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook player Keith Corbin, #9, make a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Image 9 of 30

West Brook player Justen Hervey, #3, is tackled by Devin Padia, #5, after a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise less

West Brook player Justen Hervey, #3, is tackled by Devin Padia, #5, after a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The ... more

Image 10 of 30

Image 11 of 30

West Brook quarterback Isaac Aubrey, #6, throws a pass during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook quarterback Isaac Aubrey, #6, throws a pass during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Image 12 of 30

West Brook quarterback Isaac Aubrey, #6, scrambles in the backfield against Devante Williams, #55, during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise less

West Brook quarterback Isaac Aubrey, #6, scrambles in the backfield against Devante Williams, #55, during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy ... more

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 13 of 30

West Brook player Justen Hervey, #3, makes a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook player Justen Hervey, #3, makes a run to the outside during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 14 of 30

West Brook kicker Graham Sollock, #85, kicks a field goal during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook kicker Graham Sollock, #85, kicks a field goal during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 15 of 30

Image 16 of 30

West Brook quarterback Isaac Aubrey, #6, scrambles in the backfield before getting sacked by Josh Hicks, #57, during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise less

West Brook quarterback Isaac Aubrey, #6, scrambles in the backfield before getting sacked by Josh Hicks, #57, during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken: ... more

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 17 of 30

West Brook players take the line during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook players take the line during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 18 of 30

West Brook quarterback Justin Essex, #11, struggles to get away from Matthew Carter, #56, during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise less

West Brook quarterback Justin Essex, #11, struggles to get away from Matthew Carter, #56, during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The ... more

Image 19 of 30

West Brook players participate during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

West Brook players participate during their spring football game on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Alex Durley Stadium.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Image 20 of 30

Image 21 of 30

Ozen's Jarvaris Curl, #12, sprints to the outside during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Ozen's Jarvaris Curl, #12, sprints to the outside during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 22 of 30

Ozen's Tony Brown, #21, blocks on defense during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Ozen's Tony Brown, #21, blocks on defense during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 23 of 30

Ozen's Tony Brown, #21, steps back to receive a punt and in the bobble catches the ball with one hand during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise less

Ozen's Tony Brown, #21, steps back to receive a punt and in the bobble catches the ball with one hand during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The ... more

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 24 of 30

Ozen's Rodney Randle, #6, makes a sizeable run up the field during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Ozen's Rodney Randle, #6, makes a sizeable run up the field during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 25 of 30

Image 26 of 30

Ozen's quarterback Jaylyn Brown, #3, is attempts to break free from Jeremiah Guillory, #23, during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Ozen's quarterback Jaylyn Brown, #3, is attempts to break free from Jeremiah Guillory, #23, during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 27 of 30

Ozen's quarterback Jaylyn Brown, #3, is cornered by defensive players during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Ozen's quarterback Jaylyn Brown, #3, is cornered by defensive players during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 28 of 30

Ozen's Apolinar Rodriguez, #24, kicks a field goal during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Ozen's Apolinar Rodriguez, #24, kicks a field goal during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Image 29 of 30

Ozen's Jarvaris Curl, #12, is taken down during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Ozen's Jarvaris Curl, #12, is taken down during the Ozen High School spring football game on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Photo taken:
Randy Edwards/The Enterprise

Photo: Randy Edwards

Image 30 of 30

Coaches weigh in on UIL's decision to limit tackle during football practice

1 / 30

Back to Gallery

A new limit on tackling and blocking during high school football practices will be hard to enforce because of the way workouts are structured, according to West Brook coach Kevin Flanigan.

University Interscholastic League's Legislative Council on Tuesday passed an amendment to limit high school football players to 90 minutes of full-contact, game-speed practices per week during the season. The ruling will go into effect Aug. 1 if approved by the Texas Commissioner of Education.

"It's going to be very difficult for (the UIL) to monitor" because the rule applies to each individual player, not the group, Flanigan said.

That means a coach is expected to keep up with how much time each player runs full-contact plays, even when those players are constantly rotating on and off the field. UIL spokesperson Kate Hector said it will be up to each school district to monitor the hours, and if a violation occurs it will first go to the District Executive Committee for a local investigation.

When the UIL's Medical Advisory Committee made the recommendation for the amendment in April, UIL athletic director Mark Cousins said it only refers to drills in which players execute tackles and blocks with the intent of forcing other players to the ground. Cousins said the recommendation was made in April to promote safety in the sport.

For Flanigan, whose West Brook team practices in shorts, helmets and shoulder pads on Mondays and has light-contact workouts on Thursdays, the rule could have little consequence.

"Ninety minutes is a lot, especially during the course of the season," Flanigan said. "This doesn't change much."

But for some schools the rule changes everything.

Newton, which went 13-1 and reached the Class 2A Division I state semifinals last season, has eight hours of full-contact, game-speed practices each week.

That's six hours and 30 minutes more than will be allowed this season.

"I think this takes the toughness out of football, the toughness the kids get from practice. If you don't block or tackle in practice, you're not going to tackle in a game really well," said Newton coach W.T. Johnston on Tuesday. "I think that's just a sign of the times and the kind of society we live in now."